Gloves OFF with David Singer

Palmetto Bay residents deserve better.

Nice to know that Mayor Karyn Cunningham fully supports Councilman Steve Cody who enjoys making anti-Semitic comments about children of Holocaust victims. It can't get much worse for residents of Palmetto Bay. Neither Mayor Karyn Cunningham or Steve Cody should be serving the great residents of Palmetto Bay

He’s back!!!!!

Gloves off w/David Singer will be back live March 3rd 2022. New venue and new guests but same old unfiltered truth. Don’t miss it on Facebook and YouTube.

If you want to see why Palmetto Bay is getting a new 87th avenue bridge (whether you want one or not) you must watch these videos. It will show you how Mayor Karyn Cunningham, Councilman Steve Cody and Village Attorney John Delagloria were outmatched and outsmarted. It's an embarrassment to the Village of Palmetto Bay.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qkjjbw1pv5q9m2v/AAA_TsH_Rw0RQaN5fiCiGzqpa?dl=0

Dropbox - 4xx

Gloves off w/David Singer will be back live in February. New venue and new guests but same old unfiltered truth. Don’t miss it.

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Last week's interview with Palmetto Bay's Founding Mayor Eugene Flinn was not broadcast live on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. This is due to the fact I refused to limit my topics (despite paying for my airtime) to what Michael Miller, editor, and Grant Miller, publisher, of Miami's Community Newspapers requested.

The topic of last week's show was Steve Cody:
Conman or Councilman?

Per the Miami Herald's front page article on Nov. 12, 2021, "Foreclosure auction for Palmetto Bay's councilman's house is set. Can he still serve?"

Founding Mayor of the Village of Palmetto Bay Eugene Flinn joined host David Singer to discuss the precarious predicament Councilmember (or is he?) Steve Cody has gotten himself into. AND, most importantly, what this means to the Village of Palmetto Bay.

Early last week, I received the "request" not to include Palmetto Bay topics on Gloves OFF! until after the New Year. Planning out episode topics and guests does not happen hours before the 4 pm Thursday air time/date, so the topic for last Thursday was already in place and shared with my audience.

As such, it wasn't until 15 minutes into last week's "live" show that I realized that it wasn't, in fact, live. This afforded me no ability to discuss Steve Cody’s foreclosure and pending sale on his home in Palmetto Bay. As has been public information and included in numerous Miami Herald articles as of late, Councilmember Cody has not paid his mortgage or real estate taxes in approximately eight years while voting on the largest tax increase in Palmetto Bay’s history.

Councilmember Cody received a 12th-hour reprieve on the sale of his house from the Court.

Seemingly, this is information that Miami Community News' publisher and editor do not want the residents of Palmetto Bay to know. I can only believe that the "request" is because of some unhealthy paradoxical relationship Grant and Councilmember Steve Cody (more will be shared about this in a future email).

In any event, please click on the YouTube video below to watch last Thursday’s show. Please share with other Palmetto Bay residents to help spread the word!

Gloves OFF: Conman or Councilman? Eugene Flinn is guest on Nov. 18, 2021 Per the Miami Herald's front page article on Nov. 12, 2021, "Foreclosure auction for Palmetto Bay's councilman's house is set. Can he still serve?"Founding M...

Foreclosure auction for Palmetto Bay councilman’s house is set. Can he still serve?

By Samantha J. Gross
1 hour ago

After a years-long fight to keep his home, Palmetto Bay Councilman Stephen Cody is hoping a judge will block his house from being auctioned off in a foreclosure sale Monday — a development that, were it to happen, could eventually threaten his ability to serve as an elected official for the coastal community.

According to a 2018 complaint from his lender, the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, Cody and his now-deceased wife, Rita, stopped making payments on the mortgage for the five-bedroom home in May 2013. Cody, who is representing himself through the process, says he doesn’t have plans to move.

On Nov. 1, Cody filed a motion to cancel the sale, citing active litigation. According to court documents early Friday evening, the auction was noticed in the Miami Daily Business review and set to begin at 9 a.m. Monday

Cody, a children’s book author and redistricting consultant, is a trial lawyer who was suspended from the Florida Bar in 2013 for bouncing a check and failing to keep a client informed about a case. In 2016, he received a public reprimand for failing to pay costs related to his suspension.

The couple bought the house in 1993 for $195,000, according to county property records. A year later, they added a pool and a patio. In 1995, they built a screened-in enclosure. The house is now worth $281,668, according to the property appraiser.

Cody argues the current lender does not have the original promissory note, so he therefore does not have to pay the mortgage. The lender has changed several times since the couple bought the house.

“There really isn’t much to say,” Cody said Friday afternoon. “I am not going anywhere.”

There have been multiple foreclosure cases opened against him in the past, records show, but the house never went to auction. Cody said he was confident the judge would sign his motion to cancel the sale in the 11th hour. In the case that he doesn’t, “it’s instantly appeal-able,” Cody said.

Cody represents Seat 2 on Palmetto Bay’s five-member council, which stretches from Southwest 152nd Street to Southwest 168th Street. Three seats on the council — including Cody’s — represent specific residential areas, while the Vice Mayor and Mayor serve as at-large members.

According to the village code, a council member that represents a residential area can continue serving while living outside of the area if they are in the process of relocating. However, they can only do so for a 90-day period.

“He could live anywhere in the city for up to 90 days before he moves back into his own district,” Village Attorney John Dellagloria said.

The foreclosure doesn’t signify a lack of financial responsibility, Cody said, and residents should be confident in his abilities to make budgetary decisions, set taxes and approve contracts in his role as a council member.

He said one of the reasons he fell into financial trouble was the death of his wife in July 2019 and an infection in his leg that lead to an amputation in June 2020. The combined medical costs totaled about $1 million, he said.

One doesn’t have anything to do with the other,” he said, noting that he will continue to fight the foreclosure “until it goes away.”

“I am, as some members on the council say, unflappable,” he said.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/681701679213426/permalink/877214502995475/

Great show today. Definitely worth a listen.

https://fb.watch/8XT7gZetwU/

Mayor Karyn Cunningham gets caught Blatantly lying to Village of Palmetto Bay residents .

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0wynQ2OQAqhNqC5xEV4RVgzAw

Oct 26, 2021 1 Video, expires Nov 25, 2021

A picture speaks a thousand words.

‘Either stupidity or racism’: Is Palmetto Bay really trying to ban Cuban ventanitas?
https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/restaurants/article255188817.html

‘Either stupidity or racism’: Is Palmetto Bay really trying to ban Cuban ventanitas? Miami’s walk-up coffee windows have long been the venue for political debate in South Florida — but now ventanitas themselves are the topic of contention in the village of Palmetto Bay.

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

At 5 pm TODAY, October 18, Mayor Cunningham and the Village Council will participate in a hybrid zoning hearing regarding an application calling for the construction of 480 apartments and townhouses on Old Cutler Road. This development is located on the old Burger King property now known as the Palmetto Bay Village Center, located between Ludovici Park and 184 Street, on Old Cutler Road - it includes 460 apartments and 20 townhouses.

This 480 unit development poses the biggest threat to Palmetto Bay's quality of life since incorporation.

Will Mayor Cunningham turn her back on Palmetto Bay?

In advance of today's hybrid zoning hearing, I hope that you will watch my latest episode of Gloves OFF!, during which the Village of Palmetto Bay's founding Mayor, Eugene Flinn, and I discussed the Interlocal agreement, the Village budget, Palmetto Bay Charter, and, of course, the upcoming hearing that will include the zoning application calling for the construction of 480 new apartments & townhouses.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

Gloves OFF! Will Mayor Cunningham turn her back on Palmetto Bay? A little background info ... On Monday, October 18, Mayor Cunningham and the Village Council will hear a zoning application calling for the construction of 4...

My guest next week on Gloves off with David Singer

SUNSHINE FOUNDATION MISSION STATEMENT
Sunshine Foundation answers the dreams of children, ages three through eighteen, who have severe or profound
physical/developmental/intellectual challenges or trauma from physical/sexual abuse, and whose families cannot
fulfill their requests due to financial strain that the child's illness may cause. Sunshine Foundation answers dreams
to children from all 50 states and Puerto Rico with life-long chronic conditions; ones that are turned away from the
other national wish granting organizations that require a life-threatening or critical diagnosis.
HISTORY
In the 1960’s and 70's, Philadelphia police officer, Bill Sample, was assigned on protective duty to St. Christopher’s
Hospital for Children. He encountered critically ill and terminally ill children, and saw firsthand how these
children’s families were burdened, not only by mounting medical bills, but also by the frustration of not being able to
provide their child a special dream.
In 1976, Bill took out a $4,000 personal loan and, with the help of volunteers, started the Sunshine Foundation and
began making dreams come true for chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged, and abused children. The
first child helped was Bobby, a five-year-old boy diagnosed with Leukemia. Bobby’s nurse told Bill that the boy had
a dream to go to the mountains to see snow. Bill brought Bobby, his parents, and siblings to the Pocono’s in PA for a
week of playing in the snow, sledding, and snowmobiling. Not long after, Bobby passed after his battle with
Leukemia. Bobby’s mom told us years later that she didn’t realize at the time how important that dream would be to
their family. She said that trip with Bobby, laughing and playing in the snow, was the happiest moment of their
lives, and those memories created have lasted a lifetime.
More than 41,500 children have benefited from programs and services of the Sunshine Foundation over the past 45
years. Granting a dream or a wish for a child with an illness is not a part of traditional medicine. However, it often
becomes an integral part of a child’s path towards wellness, independence, stability, or recovery. The Sunshine
Foundation has many accounts on record from parents and children who attest to the power of a few days away from
doctors, hospitals, and treatments. It can make all the difference in the world and the staff proudly pursues its work
on behalf of children every single day.
Sunshine Foundation is proud to continuously be ranked as a Top-Rated Charity serving the terminally ill or
chronically ill according to www.charitywatch.org.
Video Interviews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O66-xbpTEps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXzYOZk4KY

www.youtube.com

tweet from A Better Palmetto Bay () Have you signed the petition yet? Help send a strong message to Mayor Cunningham - let her know you don’t support her property tax-hike. Share and Sign the Petition!
Sign the Petition
SAY "NO" TO MAYOR CUNNINGHAM'S PROPERTY TAX INCREASE!

https://www.change.org/p/mayor-karyn-cunningham-say-no-to-mayor-cunningham-s-property-tax-increase?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=custom_url&recruited_by_id=3f5f1f70-6fe3-11eb-94c8-c5ed8af4c4a1

Sign the Petition SAY "NO" TO MAYOR CUNNINGHAM'S PROPERTY TAX INCREASE!

This Week's Gloves OFF! -- Nature, Nurture, and Neglect of Our Community (Aug. 26 at 4 PM)

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Be honest: How much time do you spend staring at a screen each day?

I bet that number is significantly higher than it was pre-pandemic. Our ever-growing reliance on technology combined with Covid-19 safety precautions means that many of us are spending even less time outdoors.

This is to our detriment, and our children's.

Research from the University of Washington found evidence that contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions, and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress (Science Advances, Vol. 5, No. 7, 2019).

Isn't that what we want for ourselves, family, friends, and neighbors?

I would have said a resounding "Yes" for all Palmetto Bay residents until lately, based on the actions of our Council.

This Thursday, August 26, at 4 pm, I'll be joined by two advocates of the preservation of our natural habitat and the expansion of opportunities for our community to enjoy it.

Palmetto Bay's Founding Mayor, Eugene Flinn, and I will have the honor of speaking with Robert Ruano, the Founder and President of Ecostrata Services, which he started almost 12 years ago to provide value to government and private clients through securing grants and other funding opportunities. To date, Ecostrata Services has helped local groups raise more than $15 million in awards that funded important projects as the renovation of a threatened historic building, a critical care hospital in Haiti, and multiple street projects.

Robert is also heavily involved in civic causes, including:

- Part of the creation of the non-profit Bike Walk Coral Gables, which promotes a safe and friendly environment for cyclists and pedestrians by sponsoring programs and events to educate the community and serves as an advocate for the accessibility of streets and trails for cyclists and pedestrians
- A trustee of the Arbor Day Foundation, a non-profit membership organization dedicated to planting trees
- A past member of the County’s Planning Advisory Board, serving twice as Chair

With the Village of Palmetto Bay at odds with its “Tree City USA” designation, I look forward to an enlightening conversation on Thursday about ways in which the community - its advocates - can help right this ship!

Get your questions ready for this week's episode of "Gloves OFF!"

See you all in the ring Thursday at 4 PM on Miami's Community Newspapers' page!

Birds of a Feather

Last week we learned that Councilman Stephen Cody's home would go up for public auction on November 15, 2021, to the highest bidder for cash. Accordingly, a Final Judgement of Foreclosure was entered against Stephen Cody by the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County.

These standards and behavior from an elected official are unprecedented. As a society, we have come to expect public morality to be stricter than private morality. After all, politicians are more powerful than us, and their decisions affect our everyday quality of life. This irresponsible behavior undermines Council-member Cody's credibility and erodes the public's trust in the government. Does - "Do as I say, not as I do" ring a bell?

It appears that Councilman Cody has not paid any property taxes for close to ten years – taxes that help pay for our public schools, police, first responders, libraries, roads, and more. Let that sink in for a moment – Palmetto Bay is represented by a public official who votes to increase your property taxes yet does not pay any taxes himself.

In addition to this latest "black eye" on Palmetto Bay's administration, who can forget Councilman Cody's previous shortcomings; He was suspended from practicing law by the Florida bar and was charged with two counts of Uttering a Worthless Check by the State Attorney's Office for the 11th Judicial Circuit. He was served with a "Writ of Garnishment," in other words, a portion of Mr. Cody's Village salary may be required by a court order to be withheld by the Village as payment for his debts.

Yet, to a great extent, Councilman Cody's reckless behavior isn't the kicker, but how he got to be on the Village Council is. The answer – Karyn Cunningham.

Karyn Cunningham used all her political muscle, funding, and resources to get Stephen Cody elected. Why? Because she needed an unwavering "yes" vote on the council, and as a bonus, she'd be rid of me. Karyn Cunningham's ability to trick people is unlike any I have seen before.

To date, Cunningham’s administration has voted to increase “property taxes,” “water-storm fees,” “FPL Franchise Fees,” gave us the “megasidewalk” on 136 street, botched the 87 ave bridge and wrote into law 11-foot sidewalk requirements for all new developments in the DUV.

Cunningham brushes off her shortcomings by pointing fingers and distracting residents with special events and proclamation give-ways. Then, she'll argue that Councilman Cody's issues are no "big deal" and say it's just a few haters making noise.

Ultimately, the future of our Village lies in your hands. If you feel that Councilman Cody's reckless behavior is the example that our kids and families deserve, then you are in good company with Mayor Cunningham – if not, join me in speaking up!

Sincerely, David Singer

Look what came via Twitter today.

This is from Mayor Karyn Cunningham email dated August 9th 2021.
COVID on the Rise- With COVID numbers on the rise again, masks are again required at all indoor County facilities for employees and for visitors, in keeping with new CDC guidance that even vaccinated people should wear masks in certain settings to maximize protection from the Delta variant. Masks continue to be required on transit and at the airport under federal regulation. I had the opportunity to speak live with JHS Director and Palmetto Bay resident Karen Baez Wallis as she reported what they are seeing and what you can do to help. Click here to view the video. In partnership with Senator Garcia and Statlab, we are offering free vaccinations today and tomorrow at the Perrine Community House (see below for more information). Vaccinations are key to keeping the community healthy and most CVS, Walgreens and Publix Pharmacies are taking walk-in and appointments for your convenience.
So, someone should ask the Mayor why she was the only one this weekend not to be wearing a mask around young children? Was it for just a photo op or the fact she once again doesn't care about the rules? I guess she doesn't have any respect for just how serious the Covid delta virus is.

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

This week, I am putting my gloves down.

There will be no show today.

For some, this may be a refreshing break. For me, it's a chance to rest up, focus, and ensure that next week is BETTER THAN EVER!

Can't wait to see you all in the ring again!

Mayor Karyn Cunningham has done it again. Destroying over 185 trees and green space for a 10 foot path along 136th street that can’t or won’t be used by cyclists or golf carts. It’s just been ruled illegal for golf carts to use her and the rest of the councils mega-path. Our village leadership is a joke. More concrete less trees and green space in the Village of parks.

Last week Mayor Cunningham deployed the Village's Neighborhood Protection Committee to our neighboring Village of Pinecrest. The Committee was led by no other than local political operative and Cunningham loyalist - Gary Pastorella.

You may ask, what's the big deal? The answer – it's a huge deal! Pinecrest was discussing the "Rapid Transit Zone," commonly known as RTZ. The RTZ is a County proposal that could forever change the character of our Village.

Click below to watch Gary Pastorella in action at the Pinecrest Council Meeting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbvZ9iJxbYs

Miami-Dade County is proposing to up-zone our corridor by gaining control over zoning and land-use decisions regardless of any municipal code. The County's jurisdiction would stretch for 1 mile around the East and the West corridor – five blocks into our Village neighborhoods.

The proposed RTZ could range from 60 dwelling units to 500 dwelling units per acre and build from 6 to 25 story apartment towers. A scary thought for anyone who believes our Village is a family-oriented bedroom community.

Many of you may recall how the Village dropped the ball on the 87 ave bridge issue. Mayor Cunningham alienated neighboring cities and county leaders and missed key meetings where bridge decisions were being made. She went as far as leaving our Village "voiceless" on the County's Community Connectivity Committee after abruptly removing her appointees from this Committee set forth to discuss the 87th avenue bridge.

Cunningham went as far as calling county Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins the "unelected" "appointed" commissioner.

These divisive comments and tactics have led our Village to be ineffective at County Hall. Now the County is moving forward on building the bridge, no ifs, ands, or buts – and the RTZ could be next.

The Mayor's attitude in dealing with these issues continues to erode public confidence in her ability to lead and how others perceive our Village. There's too much at stake for our Village to be engaged in such counterproductive tactics.

Mayor Cunningham must understand that it’s time to lead and do what's in the Village's best interests, and sending Gary and the crew over to Pinecrest isn't the way to go about it. Unless you believe using the same failed tactics again will reap a different result.

What Mayor Mayor Cunningham isn’t telling you is much more important than what she is disseminating in her weekly emails. Some people would consider her emails as misleading, but I’ll let the Palmetto Bay residents decide.

So, after all these months of Mayor Cunningham telling residents, we are “fighting to stop the bridge from getting built” the truth is (per the Village Attorney own words) that it’s getting built. No ifs, ands, or buts! So much for the Mayor Cunningham “keeping you in the loop.”

Village attorney John Dellagloria proclaimed this week “Again, the County is going to build that bridge: they’ve made that very clear, nothing is going to stop that construction.” Take 20 seconds and see for yourself below.

https://youtu.be/vgFJFzIni64

The real question is why are we continuing to spend thousands of taxpayers dollars fighting a bridge that the Village Attorney has stated on record is a done deal?

Palmetto Bay Bridge

Someone needs to. Our Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham and rest of the Council sure haven’t. Patrick Fiore, Steve Cody, Marsha Matson and Leanne Tellam are all complicit in killing over 130 trees for a 10 foot sidewalk. 

Great interview yesterday with Ed Silva and Michael Miller. These guys need my help.

https://fb.watch/v/15XX07oq4/